Pollinger was named to the all-tournament team at the Patriot League Championship

Kara Pollinger

March 13, 2012

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Each day this week, a member of the Navy women's basketball team will chronicle their thoughts for NavySports.com in Navy's run-up to the NCAA Tournament. Tuesday's entry was penned by Patriot League All-Tournament Team member Kara Pollinger. She writes about the emotions of the team on the day of its championship game win over Holy Cross, as well as the anticipation of the NCAA Tournament Selection Show.

"Nothing like March Madness! Nothing like cutting down the nets on our home court for two consecutive years! Nothing like achieving the goals that we set for ourselves when we were lacing up our Nikes for the first time about 14 years ago! So needless to say, this feeling is indescribable. We truly had to work together and earn every single win this season, which made us appreciate it that much more.

"Coming into the Patriot League Championship game the team was excited yet nervous. Our games earlier in the season against Holy Cross weren't very close for either side; they took one and we stole the other, both winning on the opposition's courts. Based on the games where we had faced each other, we had no idea what the outcome would be. Holy Cross was a great team and we knew we wouldn't be able to just show up and win. This game was up for grabs and it was up to us to grab it. Especially because we were at home, with the support of the crowd, we had a feeling this game was ours.

"AFTER WE BECAME PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, we were on a high and the days following were excruciating in the unknown of who we would be facing in the first round. We just wanted to know. We didn't care who we would face. We just needed a team to play, a team to put in our sights and focus on. Seeing the match-up, when "Navy" popped up on the screen, the entire place freaked out. The team was jumping up and down and yelling. The place was resonating with happiness. Seeing the looks on each other's' faces as we were pronounced a fifteen seed rather than the assumed sixteen seed was crazy. The excitement and the knowledge we would play close to home, close to our fans, was the most exciting aspect of the night. Thanks so much to the fans that came out and enjoyed the special moment of selection night with us. We hope to see you again on Saturday! We are finally going dancing again. Trust me, there is nothing like it."